Police have arrested a government land records officer (Patwari) for assaulting and holding captive a Christian man who had approached him for documentation related to a caste certificate.
The accused, identified as Sandeep, a Patwari in Jind district, Haryana, was taken into custody following a complaint filed by Krishna, a resident of Singhana village. Authorities presented Sandeep before a local court, which remanded him to the district jail. He has since been released on bail.
According to the police complaint, Krishna, who has been a practising Christian for the past 20 years, visited Patwari Sandeep’s office on March 1, to obtain an official report necessary for his caste certificate application.
In his statement to police, Krishna stated that upon his arrival, the Patwari refused to process the documentation for the caste certificate without explanation. When Krishna enquired about the reasons for the refusal, the situation rapidly escalated.
The complaint further alleges that following a verbal exchange, Sandeep verbally abused Krishna and physically assaulted him. Krishna reported that Sandeep, accompanied by two other individuals who were present in the office at the time, forcibly detained him in a room and confiscated his mobile phone.
According to the police report, Krishna was held captive until he began shouting for help, which drew the attention of passersby. The accused reportedly opened the door upon seeing people gathering outside. Before letting Krishna go, the Patwari allegedly threatened him with physical harm if he ever returned to the office.
Following the incident, Krishna approached the Jind Police Station where he filed a formal complaint. Based on his statement, police registered a case against Patwari Sandeep under multiple charges including wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, assault, and theft of personal property.
Officials from the Jind Police Station confirmed the arrest and that the accused was presented before the court, which sent him to district jail. Court records indicate he has since been granted bail.
Local sources indicate that the incident has raised concerns about the treatment of religious minorities seeking official documentation in the region. Though the exact reason for the Patwari’s refusal to process the caste certificate report has not been officially stated, Krishna’s complaint outlines the sequence of events that followed his request for the document.
The police have registered a case against Patwari Sandeep for misconduct, verbal abuse, death threats, and forcibly taking Krishna’s phone after holding him captive. The investigation is ongoing as authorities gather additional evidence and statements from witnesses who were present near the government office during the incident.
Community leaders have called for a thorough investigation into the matter and appropriate action to ensure government services remain accessible to all citizens regardless of religious background.
